Poteat and Rechsteiner lead the top five in double digits ahead of USC at Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Milijahel Poteet and Brandon Rechsteiner each scored 19 points and Virginia Tech beat South Carolina Upstate 93-74 on Friday night.

Freshman reserve Tyler Johnson scored 16 points, Jaydon Young had 14 points and Thoibu Lawal and Jayden Shutt had 10 points each for the Hokies (2-0).

Carmelo Adkins scored 20 points, freshman Mister Dean 18 and Carmany Gregory 15 for the Spartans (1-1).

Virginia Tech led 37-32 at halftime and used an 11-5 start in the first 3:55 of the second half to take a 48-37 lead.

With 12:58 left, USC Upstate’s Daniel Helterhoff hit a 3-pointer to cut the Spartans’ lead to 56-50. But Young responded with a three, Rechsteiner made a break and Poteat made two free throws for a 63-59 lead. The Hokies stayed ahead by double digits the rest of the way.

The Spartans opened the game by outscoring Virginia Tech 16–2 over the first 6 1/2 minutes before Virginia Tech began its comeback and led by five at halftime. Helterhoff’s shot with 2:06 before halftime marked the Spartans’ final lead, 30-28.

Virginia Tech has a 3-1 record against USC Upstate.